Manually sweeping apparatus with image sensor

ABSTRACT

A small-sized copying apparatus has a housing (1). As the housing (1) is moved, an image data-reading circuit (15, 56, 57, 58) receives the light reflected from an original illuminated by a light source (11), and the image data obtained from the light is written into memory (60). Further, as the housing (1) is manually moved, the image data stored in the memory (60) is printed by means of a printing device (21, 65). Any desired reading width over which an image is to be read by the reading circuit (15, 56, 57, 58) can be electronically and/or mechanically designated by designating means (10a, 10c, 61, 63, 64, 64a, 64b).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a small-sized copying apparatus, or ahand-held copier, whose main body can be manually moved to copy anoriginal.

BACKGROUND ART

Japanese Patent Disclosure No. 55-115773 (Japanese Pat. Application No.54-22445) discloses a manual sweeping copier whose main body is moved,thereby to copy an original. More specifically, while the copier isbeing manually swept, an optical element reads image data from theoriginal. The image data is converted into digital data and written intoa memory. The image data is read from the memory and is printed, thuscopying the original.

The reading width of the small-sized copier disclosed in Japanese PatentDisclosure No. 55-115773 is determined by the width of the opticalelement, and the reading length of the copier is inevitably limited bythe memory capacity of the memory. Therefore, even if the copier readsan image from an original having a width less than the reading width ofthe copier, it reads image data over the entire reading width.Consequently, the memory may become full before the copier is reads allimage data from the original.

TECHNICAL SUBJECT

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide anapparatus which can read and store a great amount of image data evenwhen an original has a small width, by setting a desired data-readingwidth, without wasting a memory region.

According to the present invention, there is provided an apparatuscomprising image data-reading means, memory means for storing the imagedata read by the image data-reading means, designating means fordesignating a reading width over which image data will be read, thereading width being measured in the main scanning direction of the imagedata reading means, and means for writing into the memory means only theimage data read by the image data reading means from a region whosewidth is equal to or less than the reading width designated by thereading width designating means. Since the apparatus has thesecomponents, it can read a great amount of image data by setting adesired reading width, without wasting a memory region. The apparatus ofthis invention has a housing and a linear scanning means arranged withinthe housing. The linear scanning means read image data through a imagedata-reading window cut in the housing. A slider is mounted on thehousing, for closing the image data-reading window. Therefore, thereading width can be changed by only moving the slider, thus partlyclosing the window and thus setting a desired reading width, and theapparatus can read desired image data only.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the outer appearance of a hand-heldcopier which is a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2(a) is a sectional view showing the internal structure of thecopier shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2(b) is a sectional view, taken along line II--II in FIG. 2(a).

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the main components arranged withinthe copier.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electronic circuit.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart explaining how to write image data into an imagedata memory when a specific data-reading width has been set.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart explaining how to print the image data read aftera data-reading width has been set.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the outer appearance of a hand-heldcopier which is a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 a perspective view showing the outer appearance of a hand-heldcopier which is a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the main components arranged withinthe copier of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the outer appearance of thereading section of the copier of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a slider for closing the data-readingwindow of the copier shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the electronic circuit of the copiershown in FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The first to third embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 1 is a perspective viewshowing the first embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 1, numeral 1designates the housing of the hand-held copier, which is 70 mm wide, 30mm deep, and 160 mm high. The copier can read and print an image havinga maximum width of 40 mm and can read an image having a maximum lengthof 200 mm. It can read and print an image in a resolution of 8 dots/mmat most. Head section HA, which is designed to read and print an image,is attached to the distal end, or the lower end, of housing 1. Headsection HA is not as wide or as deep as housing 1. Therefore, steppedportion D is formed between head section HA and housing 1. The distalend of head section HA consists of two long, narrow inclined surfaces 1aand 1b. These surfaces are joined at their lower sides, thus forming aridge. Reading section 2 is mounted on surface 1a, and printing section3 is mounted on surface 1b. Power/read/print switch 4 is provided on oneside of housing 1, and located at the lower end of this side. Operationkeys 5a and 5b are provided on the front and rear surfaces of housing 1,respectively. Operation keys 5a and 5b are shaped like plates. Thatportion of housing 1 on which these switches are provided, can be heldbetween an operator's thumb and fingers, so that housing 1 of thehand-held copier can be moved back and forth. Power/read/print switch 4serves to turn the copier on or off, and to set the copier in a readingmode or a printing mode. More precisely, when switch 4 is used inselecting either the reading mode or the printing mode, the power issupplied to the copier. Further, clear key 6, and density control dial 7for controlling the print density are provided on the proximal (orupper) end of housing 1. Clear key 6 when pushed clears an image datamemory (later described in detail) if the hand-held copier is set in thereading mode, and initializes the address of the image data memory whenthe copier is set in the printing mode. LED 8 is provided near readingsection 2 and used as a power-supply pilot lamp. LEDs 9 and 10 areprovided on the front surface of housing 1, and located near theproximal end of housing 1. LED 9 is a memory pilot lamp, and LED 10 is aspeed alarm lamp.

Further, key-input section 10a and a display section 10b are arranged onthe front surface of housing 1. Key-input section 10a has numeric keys,a point key ".", and a set key "SET". These keys function, thereby toset an effective data-reading width not exceeding 40 mm. Thedata-reading width set by operating key-input section 10a is displayedby display section 10b.

In order to read image data of an original from the hand-held copier,power/read/print switch 4 is moved to a "read" position. The copier isthereby turned on, and LED 8 emits light. The operator holds the copierand sweeps it across the original, while depressing both operation keys5a and 5b and keeping reading section 2 in contact with the original.When the copier is moved across the original at a speed higher than apredetermined value, LED 10 emits light, thereby informing the operatorof this fact. In this case, when the desired data-reading width is lessthan the width of reading section 2 of head section HA, key-inputsection 1Oa has been operated, thus setting the effective data-readingwidth.

To pint the image data read from the original, power/read/print switch 4is moved to a "print" position. The copier is then held and moved acrossa piece of recording paper A, in the direction of arrow X, whiledepressing both operation keys 5a and 5b and keeping printing section 3in contact with paper A. As a result, the image data is printed on paperA. The printed image has a width equal to the effective data-readingwidth which has been set before the data-reading operation.

Reading section 2 and printing section 3, both provided within housing1, will now be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b)and FIG. 3. As is shown in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b), reading section 2includes light source 11 made of an LED array and located close toinclined surface 1a. The light emitted from this light source is appliedthrough window 12 of inclined surface 1a and illuminates original B. Inhousing 1, light guide 13 is arranged, and lens 14 and line image sensor15 are located above light guide 13, and are spaced apart from eachother for a predetermined distance. The line image sensor 15 is, forexample, a 1024-bit CCD (charge coupled device). Of 1024 bits, 320 bitsare used to read an image having a maximum width of 40 mm, in aresolution of 8 dots/mm. Lens 14 and line image sensor 15 are held inspecified positions by supporting member 16. This supporting member 16is fastened to inner frame 17 provided within housing 1 by apredetermined distance therefrom. Space 18 accommodating electronicparts is provided within housing 1, on one side of supporting member 16.Space 19 accommodating a battery is also provided within housing 1, andis connected to a circuit board (not shown) located in space 18. Clearkey 6, density control dial 7, key-input section 10a, display section10b, and the like, are connected to circuit board 20.

Within inner frame 17, there are provided thermal head 21, ink ribbonroll 22, roller 23 for feeding ribbon 22a at a constant speed, andribbon take-up roller 24. Rubber rollers 25a and 25b, and gears 26, 27,28, 29 and 30 are provided in the space between inner frame 17 and theinner surfaces of housing 1. Rubber rollers 25a and 25b are rotatablymounted on shaft 31 extending horizontally across inner frame 17 andprotruding at both ends from inner frame 17. Parts of their peripheriesoutwardly protrude through slits 32 cut in the end portions of inclinedsurfaces 1a and 1b. Gear 26, which has a smaller diameter than rubberrollers 25a, is coupled to gear 28 by intermediate gear 27. Gear 28 iscoupled to the shaft of ribbon-feeding roller 23 by clutch 33. Only whenthe hand-held copier is moved to print image data, will clutch 33, whichis of a one-way type, transmit the rotation of gear 28 to ribbon-feedingroller 23. Encoder disk 34 is fastened to the input-end of clutch 33.Encoder disk 34 can rotate, independent of the one-way clutch 33operation, when gear 28 rotates. As is shown in FIG. 3, encoder disk 34has a number of radial slits 35 located at regular intervals in thecircumferential direction of disk 34. LED 36 is located on one side ofdisk 34, and photosensor 37 is provided at the other end of disk 34. Asis illustrated in FIG. 2(a), LED 36 is secured to the inner surface ofhousing 1, and photosensor 37 is fixed to the inner surface of innerframe 17. Hole 38 is cut in frame 17, coaxially positioned with respectto photosensor 37. Hence, the light emitted from LED 36 can be appliedto photosensor 37 through slits 35 of encoder disk 34 and through hole38. Encoder disk 34, LED 36, and photosensor 37 constitute encoder 39

As is shown in FIG. 3, printing window 41 and ribbon-guiding window 42are cut in inclined surface 1b and extend parallel to one another.Ribbon-guiding window 42 is located nearer to inclined surface 1b thanprinting window 41. Thermal head 21 has heating section 21a, which isinserted in printing window 41. Heating section 21a slightly protrudesfrom inclined surface 1b. Slit 43 is cut in stepped portion D, close tothat side of the housing on which operation key 5b is provided.Thermal-transfer ink ribbon 22a fed out of roll 22 is led from housing 1though slit 43, and then guided into housing 1 through ribbon-guidingwindow 42 after passing heating section 21a of thermal head 21. Withinhousing 1, ink ribbon 22a is guided by shaft 31, ink ribbon guide 44,and constant-speed ribbon-feeding roller 23, and is finally wound uparound ribbon take-up roller 24. Further, as is shown in FIG. 2(b), thelower half of housing 1, on that side which operation switch 5b ismounted, can be opened when pivoted around hinge 45. When the lower halfof this side is open, used ribbon roll 22 can be replaced, and theinterior of housing 1 can be inspected.

The electronic circuit, which is formed on circuit board 20 providedwithin space 18, will now be explained with reference to FIG. 4. As hasbeen described, encoder 39 comprises encoder disk 34, LED 36, andphotosensor 37. Encoder 39 outputs pulse signals representing thedistance over which housing 1 has been moved. In other words, it outputsa distance signal. The distance signal output by encoder 39 is suppliedto control section 51, timing signal-generating section 52, andspeed-detecting section 53. Operation signals are supplied to controlsection 51 from power/read/print switch 4, operation switches 5a and 5b,clear key 6, density control dial 7, and keys 54. Further, a temperaturesignal is supplied to section 51 from temperature sensor 55 upondetection of the temperature of thermal head 21. A power-source voltagedetector (not shown) is provided in control section 51. Control section51 controls powersupply pilot LED 8 and memory pilot LED 9 of LEDsection 50, and also controls the other components of the circuit. Whenpower/read/print switch 4 is operated, thus designating the reading modeor the printing mode, control section 51 gives operation commands S1 orS2 to timing signal-generating section 52. More specifically, controlsection 51 supplies command S1 to section 52 when the reading mode isselected, and command S2 to section 52 when the printing mode isselected.

When operation command S1 is supplied from control section 51 to timingsignal-generating section 52, timing signal-generating section 52generates CCD-exposure timing signals at regular intervals. Further,section 52 generates various timing signals such as a predeterminednumber of read-timing signals a, serial-to-parallel conversion signalsb, clock pulses c, and encoder pulses h, in synchronism with the outputsignal of encoder 39 which represents the distance which the hand-heldcopier has been moved. Section 52 generates print-timing signals uponreceiving operation command S2 from control section 51. The CCD-exposuretiming signals output from timing signal-generating section 51 aresupplied to line image sensor 15. Read-timing signals a are supplied toA/D converting section 57. Serial-to-parallel conversion signals b aresupplied to serial-to-parallel conversion section 58. Clock pulses c aresupplied to address counter 62 via AND gate AND3, OR gate OR1 and ANDgate AND5. Encoder pulses h are supplied through OR gate OR2 to resetterminal R of counter 61 (later described). Line image sensor 15receives the light reflected from original B in synchronism with theCCD-exposure timing signals, and output analog signals. The outputsignals of the image sensor are output to A/D converting section 57 viaamplifier 56. A/D converting section 57 converts these signals intobinary signals, i.e., black and white signals, in synchronism withread-timing signals a. The binary signals are supplied toserial-to-parallel conversion section 58. Serial-to-parallel conversionsection 58 converts the input signals to, for example, an 8-bit parallelsignal. This parallel signal is output to image data memory 60 via dataselector 59. Read signal R is supplied to image data memory 60 fromcontrol section 51 via AND gate AND1, and write signal W is suppliedfrom section 51 via AND gate AND2. Both AND gates AND1 and AND2 areturned on by a "1" (high) level signal output from comparator circuit 64(later described). Data selector 59 is connected to control section 51by a data line, and selects either control section 51 or image datamemory 60 in accordance with selection signal d supplied from controlsection 51. A desired write address of image data memory 60 (a lineaddress and a digit address) is designated by address counter 62. Clockpulses c are supplied to address counter 62 from timingsignal-generating section 51 via AND gate AND3, OR gate ORl and AND gateAND5. AND gate AND3 is turned on by read command S1 supplied by controlsection 51. AND gate AND5 is turned on by a "1" (high) level signaloutput from comparator circuit 64. Any desired read address of imagedata memory 60 is given from address counter 62 under control of controlsection 51. In this case, address counter 62 counts up the readaddresses in response to address signals e supplied from control section51 via AND gate AND4, OR gate OR1, and AND gate AND5. AND gate AND4 isturned on by print command S2 supplied from control section 51.Comparator circuit 64 receives and compares designated reading-widthdata and designated write- or read-address data. The designatedreading-width data corresponds to the address value latched in latchcircuit 63, and the designated write- or read-address data correspondsto the count value of counter 61. When the designated reading-width datais greater than the designated write- or read-address data, comparatorcircuit 64 outputs a "1" signal to AND gates ANDl, AND2, and AND5. Onthe other hand, when the designated reading-width data is less than thedesignated write- or read-address data, comparator circuit 64 outputs a"0" signal to AND gates ANDl, AND2, and AND5.

When the hand-held copier is set in the printing mode after the imagehas been read from the original B, control section 51 outputs operationcommand S2 to timing signal-generating section 52, as has been describedabove. Section 51 then sequentially reads the data stored in image datamemory 60 via data selector 59, in response to the output distancesignal by encoder 39. After reading the image data from image datamemory 60, control section 51 calculates the time for supplying power tothermal head 21, based on the number of black characters represented bythe print data, the temperature of head 21 detected by temperaturesensor 55, the data output by the power-source voltage detector, and thedensity selected by turning density control dial 7. The datarepresenting the power-supplying time is output as print data to thermalhead-driving circuit 65. In accordance with this print data thermalhead-driving circuit 65 drives thermal head 21 in synchronism with thetiming signals supplied from timing signal-generating section 52.

The operation of the first embodiment described above will now beexplained. To read the image data, such as characters and an image, froman original, a user moves power/read/write switch 4 from a "power off"position to the "read" position. Thereby, power is supplied to thecircuit components. At this time, control circuit 51 turns on LED 8 ofLED section 50, thereby informing to a user that the copier has beenturned on. Further, control section 51 supplies operation command S1 totiming signal-generating section 52. In this condition, the user sweepshousing 1 in a forward direction across a desired part of original B ofoperation key 5a (in the direction opposite of arrow X, in FIG. 1),while at the same time keeping reading section 2 of head section HA incontact with original B and depressing both operation keys 5a and 5b.The light emitted from light source 11 is directed onto original Bthrough window 12 cut in inclined surface 1a. The light is thenreflected from original B and guided by light guide 13. Finally thelight is applied to line image sensor 15 via lens 14. As housing 1 ofthe hand-held copier is moved as described above, rubber rollers 25a and25b, both contacting original B, are rotated. The rotation of theserubber rollers causes gear 28 to rotate via gears 26 and 27. Hence, gear28 is rotated, thereby rotating encoder disk 34 at a speed proportionalto the speed at which housing 1 is being moved. As encoder disk 34rotates in this way, the light emitted from LED 36 is intermittentlyapplied to photosensor 37 though slits 35. Photosensor 37 producespulses, the output signal of encoder 39. This output signal, whichrepresents the distance the copier has been moved, is supplied tocontrol section 51, timing signal-generating section 52, andspeed-detecting section 53.

In the meantime, timing signal-generating section 52 generatesCCD-exposure timing signals in response to operation command S1 suppliedby control section 51, and supplies these CCD-exposure timing signals toline image sensor 15. Further, section 52 generates, also in response tooperation command S1, read-timing signals a and serial-to-parallelconversion signals b, and supplies signals a to A/D converting section57, and signals b to serial-to-parallel conversion section 58. Stillfurther, timing signal-generating section 52 generates clock pulses c insynchronism with serial-to-parallel conversion signals b. These pulses care supplied to counter 61 and address counter 62.

Line image sensor 15 produces image signals from the light reflected offoriginal B, in synchronism with CCD-exposure timing signals output fromtiming signal-generating section 52. The image signals are amplified byamplifier 56 and then supplied to A/D converting section 57. A/Dconverting section 57 converts the image signals output from amplifier56, into a serial-digital signal, in synchronism with read-timingsignals a supplied from timing signal-generating section 52. The digitalsignal is input to serial-to-parallel conversion section 58.Serial-to-parallel conversion section 58 converts the serial-digitalsignal into, for example, 8-bit parallel image data, in synchronism withserial-to-parallel conversion signals b supplied by timingsignal-generating section 52. The 8-bit image data is output to dataselector 59. Data selector 59 selectively delivers the output ofserial-to-parallel conversion section 58, in response to selectionsignal d supplied by control section 51 when the copier is set in thereading mode. Therefore, the image data output from serial-to-parallelconversion section 58 is supplied to image data memory 60 via dataselector 59. The write addresses of image data memory 60 are designatedby address counter 62. In this case, no reading-width has yet beenspecified. Hence, comparator circuit 64 outputs a "1" signal at alltimes. The count value of address counter 62, which defines the digitaddress, is incremented by "+1" every time clock pulse c is input toaddress counter 62 from timing signal-generating section 52. Thus, theaddresses of image data memory 60 are sequentially designated. Timingsignal-generating section 52 stops producing timing signals after theimage data for one line has been written into image data memory 60. Itrefrains from producing timing signals until it receives the next pulsesignal from encoder 39, which represents the distance the copier hasbeen moved. The sequence of the operations described above is repeated,whereby the image data read from original B is written line by line intoimage data memory 60.

It will now be explained as to how the hand-held copier reads image dataof which the reading width is less than the width of head section HA.

Let us assume that the "3" key, the "5" key, the point "." key, the "5"key the "SET" key of key-input section 10a are depressed, therebydesignating a reading width of 35.5 mm. The address value correspondingto this designated reading width measured in the main scanning directionof line image sensor 15 is supplied from control section 51 to latchcircuit 63, and is thus latched in latch circuit 63. Thereafter, theuser sweeps housing 1 across the desired part of original B. As housing1 is thus moved, timing signal-generating section 52 generates timingsignals. Hence, the image is read by line image sensor 15 in synchronismwith these timing signals generated by section 52. The image data readby line image sensor 15 is written into image data memory 60, asexplained by the flow chart of FIG. 5.

More specifically, in step R1, encoder pulses are generated from encoder39, as housing 1 is moved. In step R2 counter 61 is reset by the firstencoder pulse h supplied by timing signal-generating section 52. Then,in step R3, the image signals output from line image sensor 15 via A/Dconverting section 57 are converted into 8-bit parallel signals byserial-to-parallel conversion section 58. In the next step, R4, clockpulses c are supplied from timing signal-generating section 52 tocounter 61 and address counter 62. In step R5, comparator circuit 64compares the designated reading-width data, which has been converted tothe address value and latched in latch circuit 63, with the addressvalue counted by counter 61 and representing the distance, in the mainscanning direction, the original B has actually been scanned, in otherwords, it is determined in step R5 whether or not the count value ofcounter 61 is less than the designated reading width. If Yes, that is,if the distance is shorter than the designated reading width, comparatorcircuit 64 outputs a "1" signal in step R6. As a result, the imagesignals, i.e., the parallel signals output from serial-to-parallelconversion section 58, are written via data selector 59 at the writeaddress of image data memory 60, which has been designated by addresscounter 62. Thereafter, in step R7, it is determined whether or notone-line image data has been read from the original. If it isdetermined, from the output of encoder 39, that the one-line image datahas not been read, steps R3 through R6 are repeated, the image signalsfurther output from serial-to-parallel conversion section 58 aresequentially written into write addresses of image data memory 70, whichare sequentially designated by address counter 62. When line imagesensor 15 has scanned the original over the designated reading width of35 mm in the main scanning direction, comparator circuit 64 outputs a"0" signal. In other words, a result "No" is obtained in step R5. Inthis case, AND gate AND2 is turned off, thereby stopping the writing ofdata into image data memory 60. Simultaneously, AND gate AND5 is turnedoff, whereby address counter 62 stops counting write addresses. Hence,the image data corresponding to one line having a length equal to thedesignated reading width has been written in the write addresses. Whenhousing 1 is further moved, and encoder 39 outputs another encode pulse,the operation returns to step R1, and the nest to the last write addressfor the first line image data is designated. The writing of the secondline image data is thus begun.

It will now be further explained as to how the hand-held copier printsthe image data read from original B in the manner described above. Toprint the image data which has been read over the width of image sensor,not having designated a specific reading width, power/read/write switch4 is moved to the "print" position, thereby setting the copier in theprinting mode. When switch 4 is thus moved, control section 51 suppliesselection signal d to data selector 59, whereby data selector 59 isswitched to the side of control section 51. In this condition, the usersweeps housing 1 across a sheet of paper A in the direction of arrow X(FIG. 1), while keeping printing section 3 of head section HA in contactwith paper A and depressing both operation keys 5a and 5b. As housing 1is moved in this way, rubber rollers 25a and 25b rotate, therebyrotating gears 26, 27 and 28. Encoder disk 34, which is fastened to gear28, is therefore rotated. As a result of rotation of disk 34,photosensor 37 outputs pulses, as in the case of reading the image data,which forms a signal representing the distance the copier has been movedacross paper A.

The rotation of gear 28 causes one-way clutch 33, ribbon-feeding roller23, and further ribbon take-up roller 24 to rotate via gears 29 and 30.As rollers 23 and 24 rotate, ribbon roll 22 also rotates. Hence, inkribbon 22a is fed from roll 22 and guided through slit 43 cut in steppedportion D. Ribbon 22a then passes by heating section 21a of thermal head21. It is further guided through ink ribbon-guiding window 42, and thenguided by shaft 31, ink ribbon guide 44, and ribbon-feeding roller 23.Finally, ribbon 22a is wound around ribbon take-up roller 24. As housing1 is moved, ribbon-feeding roller 23 rotates such that ribbon 22a is fedat the same speed as housing 1 is being moved across paper A. Hence, norelative movement occurs between ribbon 22a and paper A.

The output signal of encoder 39, i.e., the output pulses of photosensor37, which represents the distance the copier has been moved, aresupplied to control section 51, timing signal-generating section 52, andspeed-detecting section 53. Timing signal-generating section 52 suppliesa one-line printing command to control section 51 in response to theoutput signal of encoder 39. It also supplies print-timing signals tothermal head-driving circuit 65 in response to the output signal ofencoder 39. In accordance with the output signal of encoder 39, controlsection 51 designates one after another, the line addresses and digitaddresses of image data memory 60. Hence, the image data stored in imagedata memory 60 is read out through data selector 59 and is input line byline, to thermal head-driving circuit 65. In response to the one-lineprinting command, control section 51 calculates and sets the time forsupplying power to thermal head 21, based on the number of blackcharacters represented by the print data, the temperature of thermalhead 21 detected by temperature sensor 55, the output signal of thepower-source voltage detector, and the density selected by rotatingdensity control dial 7. Then, control section 51 supplies thermalhead-driving circuit 65 with the image data read out from image datamemory 60. Thermal head-driving circuit 65 drives thermal head 21 inaccordance with the control data supplied by control section 51 and thetiming signals output from timing signal-generating section 52. Thermalhead 21 prints the image data on paper A using ink ribbon 22a. Ashousing 1 of the hand-held copier is moved across paper A, the unusedportion of ink ribbon 22a is fed from roll 22, whereas the used portionof ribbon 22a is wound around ribbon take-up roller 24. In this manner,the image data stored in image data memory 60 is printed on paper A ashousing 1 of the copier is swept across paper A.

To print the image data read from the original after designating a widthby key input section 10a as a reading width of, for example, 35 mm ofimage sensor 15, the hand-held copier is operated as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6.

When the printing mode is set, control section 51 outputs print commandS2 in step W1. At the same time, a one-line reading start signal isoutput from control section 51 to counter 61 through OR gate OR2,thereby resetting counter 61. In step W2, address signal e (a pulsesignal), which designates a read address, is supplied through AND gateAND4 to counter 61 and address counter 62. Then, counter 61 beginscounting the addresses corresponding to the dot elements of thermal head21 arranged in a dot direction. Also, address counter 62 begins countingread addresses of image data memory 60. Then, in step W3, comparatorcircuit 64 compares the address value counted by counter 61 andrepresenting the position of any dot element, with the designatedreading-width data was latched at the beginning of the data-readingoperation. When the address value for the dot element is less than thedesignated reading-width data, comparator circuit 64 outputs a "1"signal. If this is the case, in the next step, W4a, the image data isread from the read address of image data memory 60, which has beendesignated by address counter 62. This image data is input to the printdata register provided within control section 51 via data selector 59.In step W5, it is determined whether the one-line image data has beenread to control section 51 or not. If No, steps W2 through W4a arerepeated, whereby print data is read out item by item, from image datamemory 60 to control section 51.

If Yes in step W3, that is, if the address value counted by counter 61reaches the value of designated reading-width data, it is determinedthat one-line print data representing a line of image which is 35.5 mmlong is fetched in control section 51. Then, comparator circuit 64outputs a "0" signal. As a result, data-reading from imaged data memory60 is prohibited, and address counter 62 also stops counting readaddresses. Then, steps W2, W3, W4b and W5 are repeated, whereby "0"(blank) data is input to the print data register of control section 51,in the memory region for 5 mm of this register, along with image datafor 35.5 mm (i.e., the designated reading width).

When the one-line print data has been input to the print data registerprovided within control section 51, the operation goes from step W5 tostep W6. In step W6, the image data is transferred from the print dataregister to thermal head-driving circuit 65. This image data includesthe image data for the designated reading width, which has been readfrom image data memory 60, and the blank data, and corresponds to oneline of dot elements of thermal head 21. In step W7, it is determinedwhether or not encoder 39 has output an encoder pulse, showing thathousing 1 has been further moved. If Yes, thermal head-driving circuit65 supplies the one-line print data to thermal head 21, in accordancewith print-timing signals supplied from timing signal-generating section52. In step W8, the image data for one line of dots is printed. That is,the first line of the image data which has been read over the designatedreading-width and then written into image data memory 60, as shown inthe flow chart of FIG. 5, is printed on paper A for the distanceequivalent to the designated reading width. Thereafter, steps W1 to W8are repeated, all image data read from the original B and written intoimage data memory 60 is read out from memory 60, line by line, and thelines of the image, which have the length equal to the designatedreading width, are printed on paper A, one after another.

Hence with the hand-held copier described above, it is possible todesignate any reading width that is less than the main-scanning width ofline image sensor 15. Therefore, only the desired part of the imageformed on original B can be read and written into image data memory 60.Since an unnecessary part of the original image is not written intomemory 60, the memory area of image data memory 60 can be used with highefficiency. The copier can, therefore, read only required image data asmuch as can be stored in image data memory 60.

In the above embodiment, latch circuit 63 stores the value input byoperating key-input section 10a. Instead, it can store a value obtainedby multiplying the key-input value by a predetermined constant. Any datathat can be compared with the count value of counter 61 can be stored inlatch circuit 63.

Further, in the first embodiment, a reading width is designated bydepressing the numeral keys of key-input section 10a. Alternatively,slide switch 10c can be used to designate the reading width, as is shownin FIG. 7 which illustrates a second embodiment of the presentinvention.

The hand-held copier of the second embodiment has slide switch 10c onthe front of housing 1. Slide switch 10c has projection 10d which can bepushed to the left or the right, for a distance up to 40 mm. Theposition of this projection 10d defines a reading width. The datarepresenting this reading width is input to control section 51 shown inFIG. 4.

The copier of the second embodiment can read and print image data in thesame way as the first embodiment, as is shown in the flow charts ofFIGS. 5 and 6.

A third embodiment of the invention will be described. In the first andsecond embodiments, the reading width is designated by electronic means.In the third embodiment, the reading width is set by mechanical means.More precisely, a sliding member is moved, thereby to close and open, tovarious degrees, the image data-reading window made in housing 1, inorder to designate a desired reading width.

The third embodiment will be described in detail, with reference toFIGS. 8 to 12. In these figures, the same numerals designate thecomponents identical to those of the first embodiment.

A pair of sliding members 46a and 46b for adjusting the reading widthare slidably fitted in data-reading window 12. The backs of slidingmembers 46a and 46b, which oppose light source 11, are coated white sothat their reflectivity is about 80%. Alternatively, these members aremade with a plate of transparent material such as acrylic resin andsurfaces thereof are coated white, thereby eliminating variation infocal distance viewed from light source 11. Pointers 47 is integrallyformed with each of sliding members 46a and 46b at the ends thereof, sothat pointers 47 are located on scale 48 provided on the lower edge ofthe front of housing 1. When sliding members 46a and 46b are moved,pointers 47 are also moved for the same distance. Therefore, thepositions of pointers 47 with respect to scale 48 indicate the readingwidth selected by moving sliding members 46a and 46b.

The electronic circuit of the third embodiment will now be described,with reference to FIG. 12. In this figure, the same numerals denote thecomponents which are identical to those shown in FIG. 4. As has beendescribed, encoder 39 comprises encoder disk 34, LED 36, and photosensor37, and outputs a pulse signal representing the distance for whichhousing 1 has been moved. The output signal of encoder 39 is supplied tocontrol section 51, timing signal-generating section 52, andspeed-detecting section 53. Speed-detecting section 53 detects, from theoutput signal of encoder 39, whether or not the speed of housing 1 ishigher than a preset value. When section 53 detects that housing 1 isbeing moved at a speed higher than the preset value, it causes LED 10 ofLED section 50, i.e., a speed alarm lamp, to emit light. Variousoperations signals are supplied to control section 51 frompower/read/print switch 4, operation keys 5a and 5b, clear key 6,density control dial 7, and switches 54. Further, a temperature signalis supplied to control section 51 from temperature sensor 55 which hasdetected the temperature of thermal head 21. Control section 51 isprovided with a powersource voltage detector (not shown). In accordancewith the input signals, control section 51 controls LED 8 (power-supplymonitor), LED 9 (memory pilot lamp), both included in LED section 50,and other components. It also gives an operation command to timingsignal-generating section 52 when power/read/print switch 4 is operated,thus setting the copier in a reading mode or a printing mode. Timingsignal-generating section 52 generates CCD-exposure timing signals atregular intervals, in response to the command supplied from controlsection 51. Further, section 52 generates various timing signals such asa predetermined number of read-timing signals a, serial-to-parallelconversion signals b, and clock pulses c, in synchronism with the outputsignal of encoder 39. The CCD-exposure timing signals output from timingsignal-generating section 52 are supplied to line image sensor 15.Read-timing signals a are supplied to A/D converting section 57.Serial-to-parallel conversion signals b are supplied toserial-to-parallel conversion section 58. Clock pulses c are supplied toaddress counter 61. Line image sensor 15 receives the light reflectedfrom original B in synchronism with the CCD-exposure timing signals, andproduces output signals. The output signals of the image sensor areoutput to A/D converting section 57 via amplifier 56. A/D convertingsection 57 converts these signals into binary signals, i.e., black andwhite signals, in synchronism with read-timing signals a. The binarysignals are supplied to serial-to-parallel conversion section 58.Serial-to-parallel conversion section 58 converts the input signalsinto, for example, an 8-bit parallel signal. This parallel signal isoutput to image data memory 60 through data selector 59. Data selector59 is connected to control section 51 by a data line, and selects eithercontrol section 51 or serial-to-parallel conversion section 58 inaccordance with selection signal d supplied from control section 51. Anydesired write address of image data memory 60 (a line-address and adigit-address) is defined by the count value of address counter 66 anddesignated by address selector 67. On the other hand, any desired readaddress of image data memory 60 is given from control section 51 throughaddress selector 67. Address selector 67 selects, in accordance withselection signal e output from section 51, address counter 66 when thecopier is set in the reading mode, and selects control section 51 whenthe copier is set in the printing mode, thereby to designate the desiredaddress of image data memory 60.

When the hand-held copier is set in the printing mode after the imagehas been read from the original, control section 51 starts sequentiallyreading the data stored in image data memory 60 through data selector59, in response to the output signal of encoder 39. After reading theimage data from image data memory 60, control section 51 calculates thetime for supplying power to thermal head 21, on the basis of thetemperature of head 21 detected by temperature sensor 55, the dataoutput by the power-source voltage detector, and the density selected byturning density control dial 7. The data representative thepower-supplying time is output as print data to thermal head-drivingcircuit 65. In accordance with this print data supplied from section 51,thermal head-driving circuit 65 drives thermal head 21 in synchronismwith the timing signals supplied from timing signal-generating section52.

The operation of the third embodiment described above will now beexplained. In order to read image data, such as characters and an image,from an original, a user first moves sliding members 46a and 46b,thereby to set a desired reading width. Since pointers 47 move assliding members 46a and 46b are moved for this purpose, the user canrecognize the reading width by reading those graduations of scale 48which are pointed by pointers 47. Then, the user moves power/read/printswitch 4 from a "power off" position to a "read" position. Therefore,power is supplied to the circuit components. At this time, controlcircuit 51 turns on LED 8 of LED section 50, thereby informing that thecopier has been turned on. The user sweeps housing 1 of the copieracross a desired part of original B forwardly in the direction ofoperation key 5a (FIG. 1) side, while keeping reading section 2 of headsection HA in contact with original B and depressing both operation keys5a and 5b. The light emitted from light source 11 is applied ontooriginal B through reading window 12 cut in inclined surface 1a. Thelight is reflected from original B and guided by light guide 13. Thelight is finally applied via lens 14 to line image sensor 15. Theopening length of window 12, i.e., the reading width, is the distancebetween sliding members 46a and 46b which have been moved to desiredpositions.

As housing 1 of the hand-held copier is moved, rubber rollers 25a and25b, both contacting original B, are rotated. The rotation of the rubberrollers is transmitted to gear 28 by gears 26 and 27. Hence, gear 28 isrotated, thereby rotating encoder disk 34 at a speed proportional to thespeed at which housing 1 is being moved. As encoder disk 34 rotates inthis manner, the light emitted from LED 36 is intermittently applied tophotosensor 37 through slits 36. Photosensor 37 produces pulses, thusgenerating a pulse signal, i.e., the output signal of encoder 39 shownin FIG. 12. This output signal, which represents the distance the copierhas been moved, is supplied to control section 51, timingsignal-generating section 52, and speed-detecting section 53. Timingsignal-generating section 52 generates CCD-exposure timing signals atregular intervals and supplies these signals to line image sensor 15.Further, section 52 generates read-timing signals a andserial-to-parallel conversion signals b in response to the output signalof encoder 39, and supplies signals a to A/D converting section 57 andsignals b to serial-to-parallel conversion section 58. Still further,timing signal-generating section 52 generates clock pulses c insynchronism with serial-to-parallel conversion signals b, and suppliesthese pulses c to address counter 66 and address selector 67.

Line image sensor 15 produces image signals from the light reflectedfrom original B, in synchronism with CCD-exposure timing signalssupplied from timing signal-generating section 52. The image signals areamplified by amplifier 56 and then supplied to A/D converting section57. A/D converting section 57 converts the image signals output fromamplifier 56, into a serial, digital signal, in synchronism withread-timing signals a supplied from timing signal-generating section 52.The digital signal is input to serial-to-parallel conversion section 58.Serial-to-parallel conversion section 58 converts the serial digitalsignal into, for example, 8-bit parallel image data, in synchronism withserial-to-parallel conversion signals b supplied from timingsignal-generating section 52. The 8-bit image data is output to dataselector 59. Data selector 59 selects the output of theserial-to-parallel conversion section 58 when the copier is set in thereading mode, in response to selection signal d supplied from controlsection 51. Therefore, the image data output from serial-to-parallelconversion section 58 is supplied via data selector 59 to image datamemory 60. The addresses of image data memory 60 are designated byaddress selector 67. In this case, address selector 67 selects theoutput of address counter 66 in accordance with selection signal esupplied from control section 51. Therefore, the addresses of memory 60are designated by the count value of address counter 66. The count valueof address counter 66 is incremented by "+1" every time a clock pulse cis input to counter 66 from timing signal-generating section 52. Thus,the addresses of image data memory 60 are sequentially designated.Timing signal-generating section 52 stops generating timing signals whenthe image data for one line has been written into image data memory 60.It remains to produce timing signals until it receives the next pulsesignal from encoder 39, which represents the distance the copier hasbeen moved. The sequence of the above operations is repeated, wherebythe image data read from original B through reading window 12 byscanning original over the preset reading width, and written into imagedata memory 60.

It will now be explained how the copier of the third embodiment isoperated to print the image data read from original B in the waydescribed above. To print the image data, the user movespower/read/print switch 4 to a "print" position, thereby setting thecopier in the printing mode. Then, control section 51 supplies selectionsignals d and e, whereby data selector 59 and address selector 67 selectcontrol section 51. In this condition, the user sweeps housing 1 acrossa sheet of paper A in the direction of arrow X (FIG. 1), while keepingprinting section 3 of head section HA in contact with paper A anddepressing both operation keys 5a and 5b. As housing 1 is moved in thismanner, rubber rollers 25a and 25b rotate, thus rotating gears 26, 27,and 28. Encoder disk 34 is therefore rotated. Photosensor 37 outputspulses, as in the case of reading the image data, which form a signalwhich represents the distance the copier has been moved across paper A.

The rotation of gear 28 is transmitted by one-way clutch 33 toribbon-feeding roller 23, and further to ribbon take-up roller 24 bygears 29 and 30. As rollers 23 and 24 rotate, ribbon roll 22 alsorotates. Hence, ink ribbon 22a is fed from roll 22 and guided throughslit 43 cut in stepped portion D. Ribbon 22a then passes by heatingsection 21a of thermal head 21. The ribbon is further guided through inkribbon guide 44, and ribbon-feeding roller 23. Finally, ribbon 22a istaken up around ribbon take-up roller 24. As housing 1 is moved,ribbon-feeding roller 23 rotates such that ribbon 22a is fed at the samespeed as housing 1 is being moved across paper A. Hence, no relativemovement occurs between ribbon 22a and paper A.

In the meantime, the output signal of encoder 39, i.e., the outputpulses of photosensor 37, which represents the distance the copier hasbeen moved, is supplied to control section 51, timing signal-generatingsection 52, and speed-detecting section 53. Timing signal-generatingsection 52 supplies print-timing signals to thermal head-driving circuit65 in response to the output signal of encoder 39. Control section 51designates, in response to the output signal of encoder 39, the lineaddresses and digit addresses of image data memory 60, one afteranother, thereby reading the image data from memory 60 through dataselector 59. Further, control section 51 sets the time for supplyingpower to thermal head 21, based on the temperature of head 21 detectedby temperature sensor 55, the output signal of the power-source voltagedetector, and the density selected by turning density control dial 7.Then, control section 51 supplies thermal head-driving circuit 65 withthe image data read out of image data memory 60. Thermal head-drivingcircuit 65 drives thermal head 21 in accordance with the control datasupplied from control section 51 and the timing signals output fromtiming signal-generating section 52. Thermal head 21, therefore, printsthe image data on paper A by using ink ribbon 22a. As housing 1 of thehand-held copier is moved across paper A, the unused portion of inkribbon 22a is fed from roll 22, whereas the used portion of ribbon 22ais taken up around ribbon take-up roller 24. In this manner, the imagedata stored in image data memory 60 is printed on paper A as housing 1is swept across paper A.

We claim:
 1. A manually sweeping apparatus, including a manuallymanipulatable housing, said housing comprising:reading means having areading area with a predetermined length, for reading image informationon a material and for producing image information signals in accordancewith the image information, while said housing is manually swept acrossthe material in a direction substantially perpendicular to a directionof the length of the reading area; memory means for storing the imageinformation signals produced by said reading means; designating meansfor designating a reading length over which the image information willread, said reading length being in a direction of the length of saidreading area; position detecting means for detecting a relative positionof said housing with respect to said material while said housing isbeing swept across said material, and for producing a position signalevery time said housing is swept over a predetermined distance, saidposition signal representing the position of said housing with respectto said material; and storing control means for controlling a storingoperation of said memory means in response to the reading lengthdesignated by said designated means, and for storing the imageinformation signals produced by said reading means into said memorymeans, said image information signals corresponding to image informationwhich exists on said material in the reading length designated by saiddesignating means.
 2. The manually sweeping apparatus of claim 1,wherein said storing control means includes:addressing means fordesignating a memory area of said memory means which has a capacity tostore the image information signals corresponding to said imageinformation existing on said material in said reading length designatedby said designating means, in response to every time a position signalis output from said position detecting means.
 3. The manually sweepingapparatus of claim 2, wherein said addressing means includes:arithmeticmeans for obtaining the storage capacity required to store the imageinformation signals corresponding to said image information existing insaid reading length designated by said designating means; addressdesignating means for designating a memory area of said memory means insequence, after a position signal is output from said position detectingmeans; detecting means for detecting whether or not a capacity of thememory area which has been designated by said address designating meanscoincides with the capacity obtained by said arithmetic means; andinhibiting means for inhibiting a designating operation of said addressdesignating means, when said detecting means detects that the capacityof the memory area which has been designated by said address designatingmeans coincides with the capacity obtained by said arithmetic means. 4.The manually sweeping apparatus of claim 1,wherein said positiondetecting means includes means for detecting the relative position ofsaid housing while being swept across either of the material or aprinting medium, and for producing said position signal every time saidhousing is swept over a predetermined distance, said position signalrepresenting the position of said housing with respect to either of thematerial or the printing medium; and wherein said housing furtherincludes: printing means for printing image information corresponding tothe image information signals output from said memory means on theprinting medium while said housing is manually swept across the printingmedium; and printing control means (51, 65) for controlling saidprinting means in synchronism with the position signal produced by saidposition detecting means.
 5. The manually sweeping apparatus of claim 4,wherein said housing further includes:output control means forcontrolling an output operation of said memory means in response to thereading length designated by said designating means, and for outputtingimage information signals which have been stored in said memory means tosaid printing means, which outputted image information signalscorrespond to the image information existing in the reading lengthdesignated by said designating means on the material.
 6. The manuallysweeping apparatus of claim 5, wherein said output control meansincludes:addressing means for designating a memory area of said memorymeans which has a capacity to store the image information signalscorresponding to said image information existing on said material insaid reading length designated by said designation means, before saidprinting means causes a printing operation.
 7. The manually sweepingapparatus of claim 6, wherein said addressing means includes:arithmeticmeans for obtaining the storage capacity required to store the imageinformation signals corresponding to said image information existing insaid reading length designated by said designating means; addressdesignating means for designating a memory area of said memory means insequence, before said printing means causes a printing operation;detecting means for detecting whether or not a capacity of the memoryarea which has been designated by said address designating meanscoincides with the capacity obtained by said arithmetic means; andinhibiting means for inhibiting a designating operation of said addressdesignating means when said detecting means detects that the capacity ofthe memory area which has been designated by said address designatingmeans coincides with the capacity obtained by said arithmetic means. 8.The manually sweeping apparatus of claim 5, wherein:said reading meansproduces dot pattern signals according to image information on thematerial; said printing means has a group of printing elements providedin a number the same as a number of dots constituting the dot patternsignals produced by said reading means, and includes means for operatinga dot pattern according to the dot pattern signals output from saidmemory means; and said printing control means includes signal-supplyingmeans for supplying a mask signal to said printing elements which doesnot supply the dot pattern signals for said memory means, when thenumber of dots constituting the dot pattern signals output from saidmemory means is less than the number of said printing elements.
 9. Themanually sweeping apparatus of claim 5, wherein said reading meansincludes:light source means for illuminating the material; and imagesensing means having a group of light-receiving elements provided in apredetermined number and arranged in one line, for receiving the lightreflected from the material and for converting the received light intoelectrical signals having levels corresponding to the amount of receivedlight; and said printing means includes a thermal printing head.
 10. Themanually sweeping apparatus of claim 1, wherein said designating meansincludes key input means for inputting numerical data which indicatesthe reading length.
 11. A manually sweeping apparatus, including amanually manipulatable housing (1), said housing comprising:readingmeans having a reading area with a predetermined length, for readingimage information on a material and for producing image informationsignals in accordance with the image information signals according tothe image information, while said housing is manually swept across thematerial in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction ofthe length of the reading area; memory means for storing the imageinformation signals produced by said reading means; printing means forprinting the image information according to the image informationsignals output from said memory means on a printing medium while saidhousing is manually swept across the printing medium; position detectingmeans for detecting a relative position of said housing while beingswept across either of the material or the printing medium, and forproducing a position signal every time said housing is swept over apredetermined distance, said position signal representing the positionof said housing with respect to either of the material or the printingmedium; printing control means for controlling said printing means insynchronism with the position signal produced by said position detectingmeans; designating means for designating a reading length over which theimage information will be read in a direction of the length of saidreading area; memory control means for controlling a storing operationand an output operation of said memory means in response to the readinglength designated by said designating means, and for storing the imageinformation signals into said memory means; wherein said imageinformation signals corresponding to the image information existing inthe reading length on the material designated by the designated means,when said reading means causes the reading operation, to obtain imageinformation signals stored in said memory means, are supplied to saidprinting means when said printing means causes a printing operation. 12.The manually sweeping apparatus of claim 11, wherein said memory controlmeans includes:addressing means for designating a memory area of saidmemory means which has a capacity to store the image information signalscorresponding to said image information existing on said material insaid reading length designated by said designating means.
 13. Themanually sweeping apparatus of claim 12, wherein said addressing meansincludes:arithmetic means for obtaining the storage capacity required tostore the image information signals corresponding to said imageinformation existing in said reading length designated by saiddesignating means; storage means for storing the capacity obtained bysaid arithmetic means; first address designating means for designating amemory area of said memory means in sequence, after a position signal isoutput from said position detecting means when said reading means causesthe reading operation; second address designating means for designatinga memory area of said memory means in sequence, before said printingmeans causes the printing operation; detecting means for detectingwhether or not capacity of the memory area designated by either of saidfirst address designating means or said second address designating meanscoincide with the capacity stored in said storage means; and inhibitingmeans for inhibition a designating operation of said first addressdesignating means and said second address designating means when saiddetecting means detects that the capacity of the memory area designatedby either of said first address designating means or said second addressdesignating means coincides with the capacity of said storage means. 14.The manually sweeping apparatus of claim 13, wherein:said reading meansproduces dot pattern signals according to image information on thematerial; said printing means has a group of printing elements providedin a number the same as a number of dots constituting the dot patternsignals produced by said reading means, and includes means for printinga dot pattern according to the dot pattern signals output from saidmemory means; and said printing control means includes signal-supplyingmeans for supplying a mask signal to said printing elements which doesnot supply the dot pattern signals from said memory means when thenumber of dots constituting the dot pattern signals output from saidmemory means is less than the number of said printing elements.
 15. Themanually sweeping apparatus of claim 14, wherein said reading meansincludes:light source means for illuminating the material; and imagesensing means having a group of light-receiving elements provided in apredetermined number and arranged in one line, for receiving the lightreflected from the material and for converting the received light intoelectrical signals having levels corresponding to the amount of receivedlight; and said printing means includes a thermal printing head.
 16. Themanually sweeping apparatus of claim 15, wherein said designating meansincludes key input means for inputting numerical data which indicatesthe reading length.
 17. A hand-held copier, including a hand-heldhousing, said hand-held housing comprising:light source means forilluminating a reading medium having image data thereon; a group oflight-receiving elements provided in a predetermined number and arrangedin one line, for receiving light reflected from the reading medium andfor converting the reflected light into analog electrical signals, so asto obtain electrical signals corresponding to the image data on thereading medium; A/D converting means for converting said analogelectrical signals from said group of light-receiving elements intodigital signals, and for outputting said digital signals; first memorymeans for storing the digital signals output by said A/D convertingmeans; input means for inputting width data designating a reading widthover which image data will be read, said reading width being measured inthe direction of arrangement of the line of said light-receivingelements; output means for outputting the digital signals stored in saidfirst memory means; counting means for counting the digital signalsoutput by said A/D converting means; second memory means for storing thewidth data input from said input means; comparing means for comparing acount value of said counting means with the width data stored in saidsecond memory means; and means for controlling the writing of thedigital signals output by said A/D converting means into said firstmemory means in accordance with results of a comparison performed bysaid comparing means.